Things to do in Tower of Pisa
Why does the tower lean? The Romanesque 183ft (56m) campanile, was begun in 1170 but started leaning immediately due to the porous clay soil beneath it.
Building diagonal floors to offset the lean was attempted in 1272, but didn’t help. In 1372, the tower was leaning 4.5ft (1.4m). By 1993, it was 17ft (5.4m) and the tower was closed for ten years amid fears it might fall. But by 2013, it had started to lean slightly back in the opposite direction. What was happening?
Major engineering work had drained the water beneath, reinforced the foundations with concrete pillars, and bound the tower with steel cables. It worked. The tower reverted to the leaning angle of 300 years previously.
Some engineers believe it is possible to straighten the tower completely, but nobody wants that. Current predictions are that it will continue to straighten, stop, and then begin to lean again, but much more slowly than in previous centuries. The people of Pisa are happy. Three million tickets are sold each year to visit a leaning tower – not a straight one.
Opening times
9.45am-5.15pm November and February
(1 November 9.00am-6.00pm)
10.00am-5.00pm December and January
(5-8 December: 9.00am-6.30pm)
(21 December - 6 January 10.00am-7.00pm)
9.00am-6.00pm until 23 March
(9.00am-7.00pm 23-29 March)
(8.30am-8.00pm from 30 March)
9.00am-8.00pm April to September
8.30am-10.00pm 17 June to 31 August
(16 June: 8.30am-5.30pm)
9.30am-7.00pm October
About the Leaning Tower
Few people initially realize that the tower is part of a much larger complex at the Square of Miracles. Here, you’ll also find the Cathedral of Pisa (the Duomo), the baptistery and the monumental cemetery – all in the Romanesque style.
Construction began in 1173 and was completed in 1399 under the guidance of various architects. Alas, these guys didn’t know their Greek very well. The name ‘Pisa’ comes from a Greek word meaning ‘marshland’ – not the kind of foundation you’d want for any tall building. Indeed, the baptistery and the cathedral are also sinking into the ground.
The other sights of the Piazza dei Miracoli are also historically very interesting and worth a visit. For example, the cemetery is made of no normal earth. It was created using 53 shiploads of holy earth taken from the hill of Calvary in Jerusalem so that the dead could enjoy some quality rest. Galileo was baptized in the baptistery here and spent some time throwing things off the tower when he got older. One of his experiments involved dropping two cannonballs of different weights to show that they fell at the same speed.
People forget that the tower’s main function was as a campanile: a bell tower. Accordingly, it has seven bells – one for each note of the musical scale. They have their own names: Assunta (the biggest), Crocifisso, San Ranieri, Dal Pozzo, Pasquereccia, Terza, and Vespruccio. They are still used to ring before masses and at midday each day. Try to time your visit to see (hear) the tower doing its stuff.
Address
Piazza del Duomo, 56126 Pisa PI, Italy
Getting there
By bus
Lines 3, 4 and Shuttle A from Pisa Centrale to the Tower
By taxi
From train station entrance and across the city
On foot
From Pisa Centrale’s main entrance towards Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, turn onto Via Crispi to Ponte Solferino. Cross the bridge and continue until Via Roma, then along Via Roma to Piazza dei Miracoli and the Leaning Tower
From San Rossore train station, take the subway and get off at Piazza Fancelli. Walk to Via Andrea Pisano, turn left and continue until you reach the Piazza dei Miracoli
Our recommendations in Tower of Pisa
Leaning Tower, Cathedral, Cemetery, Baptistery and Sinopie Museum entrance tickets
Buy this combined ticket and visit the Tower of Pisa with the Baptistery, the Cemetery, the Sinopie Museum and the Opera del Duomo Museum.
Pisa Guided Tour with Wine Tasting and Optional Leaning Tower Tickets
Discover the famous Square of Miracles and get to the top of the Leaning Tower. At the end of the tour enjoy a wine tasting with a local expert!
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Pisa audio guide with TravelMate app
Make the most of your time in Pisa with this TravelMate app on your mobile device. Discover the city's highlights and curiosities that will surprise you.
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2-hour guided walking tour of Pisa
Admire the famous Leaning Tower, stroll around Galileo's neighborhood and admire the medieval Piazza dei Cavalieri.
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Leaning Tower, Cathedral, Cemetery, Baptistery and Sinopie Museum entrance tickets
Buy this combined ticket and visit the Tower of Pisa with the Baptistery, the Cemetery, the Sinopie Museum and the Opera del Duomo Museum.
Enjoy a guided tour of Pisa and Piazza dei Miracoli. Visit of the Cathedral and be enthralled by the Leaning Tower.
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Square of Miracles Guided Tour with Optional Leaning Tower Tickets
Book your tickets to visit Piazza dei Miracoli with a local guide and climb the Leaning Tower with skip-the-line entrance.
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Afternoon excursion to Pisa with Leaning Tower and Cathedral tickets from Florence
Book your excursion to Pisa with Leaning Tower and Cathedral tickets from Florence. Live the amazing experience of climbing the world's most famous tower!
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Pisa, San Gimignano, Siena and Chianti day trip with lunch
Buy your Pisa, San Gimignano, Siena and Chianti tour with typical lunch from Florence. Explore the best of Tuscany in one day!
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Full-day tour to Florence and Pisa from Rome
Book this Full-day tour to Pisa and Florence from Rome and discover two incredible cities in just one day
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Florence and Pisa shore excursion from Livorno
Book a roundtrip transfer with an easy and comfortable coach service from Livorno to Florence and Pisa. Discover two impressive Tuscan cities in just one day.
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Round-trip excursion from Florence to Pisa
Enjoy this excursion to Pisa from Florence. Easily reach the city of the Leaning Tower and explore on your own or with a professional guide.
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Best of Pisa guided visit with Leaning Tower skip-the-line tickets
Book your guided tour of Pisa with skip-the-line ticket to the Leaning Tower. Admire the beautiful Square of Miracles and visit the Cathedral.
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Jewels of Tuscany tour with lunch and wine tasting
Discover the jewels of Tuscany in a small group: Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa, and the hamlet of Monteriggioni. Enjoy a typical lunch and wine tasting in a local farm.
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Explore Pisa with a guide and get to know everything about the city of the Leaning Tower. See Piazza del Duomo, the neighborhoods of Sant'Antonio and San Martino and much more.
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Baptistery, Cathedral and Optional Leaning Tower Guided Tour
Discover the Miracle Square, Cathedral and Baptistery in Pisa with a local guide. Get advantage of the optional skip-the-line tickets to the Leaning Tower.
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How to get there
Tower of Pisa
Pisa
Italy
Reviews Tower of Pisa
“Went to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Very impressed with the structure up close and in person. If you care to go inside and walk up the 239 steps, make sure you have your strong legs on. The walk to the top was well worth the stops I had to take on my way up. Was quite surprised at myself getting so winded as much as I did. Overall, well worth the money spent.”